What do you call soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion etc? I ask because a couple of days ago when we were checking out of a hotel I asked the woman on the desk if she knew the name/make of the complementary toiletries left in the rooms. She told me they were specially made for the hotel and asked if I would like a sample to take home. She then came back with a roll of toilet paper.

Generally by their name, shampoo, soap, lotion etc.

In your situation I would have asked what type of shampoo and soap are you using in your room? Or do you know the name of the shampoo and soaps used in your rooms?

Saying toiletries can be hit or miss, I'd know what you meant by it, but not everyone does is seems.

I remember the priceless look on my wifes face the first time I referred to them as toiletries, she now knows what I am talking about.

I will ask her in the morning what she would call them as I can't remember what she said.

You used the right word. She was just an idiot.

You weren't wrong, but I don't think "toiletries" is used very often, especially if the woman you were talking to was youngish. I'm not even sure of the proper definition of "toiletries" to tell you the truth, I just figured it generally meant stuff like soap, razor,toothbrush, shampoo etc... that goes in a shaving kit.

It sure as hell doesn't mean toilet parer though. I wish I could have seen the look on your face...

That's funny about the TP. Apparently she is not a very sophiscated young woman if she doesn't know what toiletries mean. And yes, that is what they are called unless you are calling down to the desk for just another bar of soap or shampoo.

If you look at the back of the bottle in very very tiny print is the name of the manufacturer. Most hotels that I've been in lately have appeared to have gotten their shampoo and conditioner from Patene.

PS Toiletries refers to any item that one uses while in the bathroom during the course of your early morning preparation to greet the world, i.e. shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and broadly will encompass makeup and razors and deodrants.

Yep. That's my definition of toiletries. That word may not be part of one's everyday vocabulary but anyone with half a brain should be able to use a bit of deductive reasoning to figure it out.

Whilst we're on the subject what do you call puff pastry? I want to try making some sausage rolls but when asking my wife where she thinks puff pastry would be in the store she had no idea what it was and as she thinks cooking is whamming something in the microwave it was pointless trying to explain to her.

I use the word toiletries all the time. Well, all the time I go to Target that is. I always buy all my toiletries from Target. Maybe I'm just old...

What is a puff pastry? I'll have to ask the DH (the Brit) that one.

Neither toiletries nor puff pastry are included, but if you want to waste the next hour looking up US/UK equivalents, you might find this site interesting: http://www.hps.com/~tpg/ukdict/

[I noticed anorak was interpreted as parka, but not as nerd; also, PM means Prime Minister, e.g., Maggie Thatcher - just a tad out of date]

[QUOTE=sunflwrgrl13;7761249]Yep. That's my definition of toiletries. That word may not be part of one's everyday vocabulary but anyone with half a brain should be able to use a bit of deductive reasoning to figure it out.[/QUOTE

Agreed.

I would have liked to known what what is the young lady's mind after JG made her request,

Thanks for all your replies...I'm pretty sure I've seen the word 'toiletries' on the aisle signs in supermarkets. The lady in question was probably around 40...so not too young.

Rete there was no product name, manufacturer's name, phone number or website address on any of the products...that's why I asked. '

The phrase would never fall from my lips but "personal grooming products" seems to be Madison Avenue's way of saying it.

Ditto.

But that must have been a priceless moment when she came out with the TP!

What did you do? Accept, refuse or explain?